Planning commission forwards rezones and approves multiple plats, rights-of-way and a subdivision

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Planning Commission on June 10, 2025 forwarded a rezoning to the borough assembly and approved multiple preliminary plats, a phased subdivision and a right-of-way dedication. All actions passed unanimously by roll call.

Key outcomes at the meeting:

- Rezone (Case 25041): The commission voted 6-0 to adopt Resolution 45-178 to rezone Lot 158 (portion) at 239 Cranberry Road from split suburban/low-density residential to the RS (suburban residential) zone to consolidate zoning on the expanded lot and remove ambiguity about development rights. Staff described the rezone as a housekeeping action to align the zone with the future land-use map; the item will be forwarded to the borough assembly.

- Phased subdivision (Case 25042): The commission approved a preliminary plat (Resolution 45-18A) for a phased subdivision of a portion of Lot 2 USS 2204 to create a total of nine (9) new lots in two phases and two rights-of-way (extension of Spruce Hen Drive and a proposed spur named U Wood Drive). Approval included conditions: final plats must be substantially the same, a waiver of required public water and sewer for private on-site systems (no public service available), dedication of access easement and turnaround for phase 1, roads widened to 26 feet before final phase 2, road improvements subject to approval by the public works director and fire chief, installation of power and communication services for each phase, and submission of flood elevation data because the property is outside the mapped flood zone.

- Berry Patch correction plat (Case 25043): The commission approved Resolution 45-19A to correct bearings, distances and areas for six lots in the recently recorded Berry Patch subdivision after a monument was misidentified in the earlier survey. No new lots were created; staff required the applicant address standard plat comments before final Mylar printing.

- Preliminary plat and variance (Case 25044): The commission approved Resolution 45-20A to create one lot from Lots C-2 and D-2 in Block 9 (USS 1381) with a variance to allow a substandard lot in the medium-density residential zone. The proposed lot is 4,800 square feet in a zone with a 5,000-square-foot minimum; staff recommended approval and required deed references be added to the plat.

- Shelter Cove Road right-of-way (Case 25045): The commission approved Resolution 45-21A approving a preliminary right-of-way plat to dedicate roughly 5,116 acres of Shelter Cove Road right-of-way (adjacent to Lease Cove at the north end of George Inlet) from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to the Alaska Department of Transportation. Staff called the plat a right-of-way acquisition plat; no physical improvements were required for recording, though staff requested minor technical corrections to the vicinity map and other plat comments prior to Mylar printing.

Roll-call votes for each item were unanimous among the six commissioners present at the meeting. Staff noted the normal appeal periods and procedural next steps for final plats and recording.

Several approvals included typical conditions such as addressing plat comments, ensuring required improvements before later phases of subdivisions, and securing power/communication service; no substantive public testimony was recorded opposing any item at the hearing.